Hongsuo: My Mother, Rogal Dorn

"Gurgle!"

Perturabo hesitated.

Given his transmission speed, if he wanted Kasgar to shut up, the Iron Circle Automated Mecha's artillery would unleash an unprecedented barrage on him the next moment.

But it didn't launch an attack.

The Iron Circle Automated Mecha's cannons swept back and forth between the direction of Kasgar and Hongsuo, while Perturabo's face, which had become slightly weathered ten thousand years later, was flushed red.

"My lord? What's going on?"

Although Hongsuo doesn't know what Kasgar said to Perturabo in the last sentence, based on the current situation, it is definitely related to him.

How could this be?

How could he possibly hold such a high position in Lord Perturabo's heart, enough to make the ruthless the Iron Lord hesitate to act against him?

Moreover, according to the intruder, he knew his true identity.

Real identity?

What is this?

Hongsuo had no recollection of his own origins.

From the moment he gained his memories, he was already a Space Marine who possessed a vast amount of knowledge.

Under the guidance of the sages of the Adeptus Mechanicus, he studied relevant knowledge as Tech Sergeant on the Adeptus Mechanicus Craftworld.

The Tech-Priest did not reveal which Space Marine Chapter he belonged to, but he did mention that his Gene-seed came from the Primarch Perturabo, who had already betrayed the Primarch.

Therefore, do not participate in any tests to determine the purity of Gene-seed on Mars; the Mechanical Sage will use various means to keep this secret.

After that, Hongsuo secretly infiltrated the Adeptus Mechanicus's transport ship, and after several transfers, he finally managed to sneak into Perturabo's Iron Empire and meet one of his Gene-father.

As for his true identity, Hongsuo didn't care about his so-called bloodline and origin at all.

So what if his Gene-father wasn't Perturabo?

Could this really be a weakness that Perturabo is wary of?

"I don't care who you are, but my origins will not affect my loyalty to the Iron Lord."

"Say whatever you want to say—"

"Enough!"

Perturabo roared, interrupting Hongsuo, and the next moment, all the Iron Circle Automated Mecha surrounding the area lowered their weapons.

"State your conditions."

"Aside from the impossible joke of returning to the Imperium of Man, I will listen to your demands for now."

"Grown ups--"

"Shut up, and do as I say now."

Perturabo's emotional fluctuations instantly returned to the level of ten thousand years ago, from his previous calm and composure.

It was as if his temper had returned, just like this guy's.

"Kasgar, you really are a fool who knows how to provoke me."

"But I have one more condition—tell me, how did you know his specific background?"

Perturabo was actually quite bewildered for a long time when he learned that Hongsuo's Gene-seed had two Gene-father.

When they first met, the aloof Perturabo inexplicably felt a certain fondness for this arrogant fellow.

Even he himself didn't know why.

After giving him some guidance, he did indeed think highly of the Warsmith Hongsuo.

Although he was not a born genius, with just a little guidance, the other person was able to grasp the knack by analogy.

This is an extremely rare talent even within the Iron Warriors Legion.

Even in the final game of military chess, Perturabo didn't hold back, and despite going all out, he still lost to his opponent, which greatly intrigued the Iron Lord.

Given some time, as he matures, he will become a capable and independent adjutant in the Iron Empire.

Perturabo desperately wanted a deputy who could both understand him and listen to him.

He had previously had a Warsmith Danteok—but the boy was very rebellious, often criticizing him in public and embarrassing him, and would rather sacrifice himself for the illusory dream of the False Emperor than choose him, Perturabo.

This saddened the Iron Lord.

As for Hongsuo, he could always feel an inexplicable fondness for him.

He could sense the difference between the other guy and the Iron Warriors —unlike the other stubborn Iron Warriors, this kid was quick-witted and had a variety of methods, completely different from those stupid Iron Warriors from his Great Crusade!

He found Perturabo increasingly pleasing to the eye.

But!

Perturabo's good mood vanished the moment he received his medical test results.

He couldn't believe that this guy's Gene-seed was split in half!

Only half of them came from Perturabo, while the other half... the other half's genetic fragments were—

That stern face, with its unsmiling expression and full head of white hair, appeared before him at that moment, along with the letters on the Dataslate.

Rogal Dorn!

Perturabo was furious.

Why Rogal Dorn of all people?

Why?

Does this mean that in order to truly unleash the Iron Warriors' immense potential, they must, absolutely must, cooperate with that annoying Rogal Dorn?

Actually, the right thing to do was for him to team up with Rogal Dorn and the Imperial Fists.

Are they a match made in heaven?

Perturabo: "."

The Iron Lord's mind ceased to think.

Then, images of himself, Rogal Dorn, and Hongsuo flashed through his mind.

(A family of three)

Perturabo: "!"

Mouthwatering!

Perturabo was struck as if by an electric shock.

Impossible!

Absolutely impossible!!!

"."

The true origin of Hongsuo's Gene-seed is not a big deal.

It's just Gene-seed that's a mixture of two Primarch!

Perturabo wouldn't be so furious about something so trivial.

He was even more afraid of letting others know about his, well, "little secret" with Rogal Dorn, and having it completely exposed.

Let the whole world know that he, Perturabo, and Rogal Dorn are actually the most suitable Primarch —at that point, even if he has the best temper, it won't matter.

Even though Rogal Dorn only had one hand left, Perturabo knew that he couldn't possibly die so easily.

Ah!!!

Just imagining it makes Perturabo unable to resist the urge to open fire and blow this messed-up world to smithereens.

Why not just kill him and let him find release?

"Which bastard came up with the idea of fusing the Gene-seed of Iron Warrior Imperial Fists?!"

Yes.

Who did it?

Kasgar's gaze inadvertently fell on the Chief Apothecary Melusine on his other side.

Melusine: "."

She looked away, somewhat embarrassed.

In the course of these millennia of experiments, in order to uncover the secrets of the Emperor's creation of the Space Marine, she naturally also conducted some additional research on super soldiers like the Astartes.

This includes research on combinations of Gene-seed.

With the support of Belisarius Cawl [The Primogenitor Vault], she had a sudden inspiration to combine the Iron Warriors and the Imperial Fists, two Gene-seed that should theoretically be mutually exclusive, to a certain extent.

And then they became completely inseparable.

The process was so fast that even Melusine herself was amazed, and her aversion to the opposite sex was not severe.

"But why are you researching this kind of thing?"

"The Gene-seed between the various Primarch Legions will naturally produce a rejection reaction. Even if the Iron Warriors and the Imperial Fists can successfully fuse, what is the point of doing so?"

The synthesis of the Great Hongsuo is not stable.

The Adeptus Mechanicus currently has no way of providing a large number of Iron Warriors and Imperial Fists Gene-seed for the synthesis of the "Iron Fist" Gene-seed, which have a very low success rate.

The Emperor's arrangement is the best arrangement.

Everything else is heresy.

Moreover, even if the other party grows up to become Space Marine, it is impossible to say whether there will be genetic mutations or defects.

Costs and instability are rising, while there's no sign of any benefit—it's practically gambling with precious Gene-seed.

"The combination of the Iron Warriors and the Imperial Fists Gene-seed is indeed feasible, but we do not yet know what changes will occur after the combination, and it is still in the experimental stage."

"Leave this to me. I'll see if this little guy will develop hybrid vigor later on."

As Belisarius Cawl spoke, he sealed the Gene-seed jar in the other person's hand.

"I still can't understand why you would think of combining Gene-seed for research."

"I'm testing something more important," Melusine said.

"If possible, some genetic defects of the Primarch can be compensated for through this hybridization method, thereby giving full play to the advantages and strengths of the two Primarch."

"Even."

Belisarius had no idea what the other party was doing.

All he knew was that a few days after the plan was launched, Melusine came to him with a brand new synthetic Gene-seed.

"This is."

"It contains the Gene-seed of the Sons of the Emperor, and..."

And.

What kind of Primarch's Gene-seed is this?

Why couldn't even Belisarius Cawl recognize it?

The Primogenitor Vault contains the purest Gene-seed of all Primarch, including the missing Number Two and 11 Gene-seed.

But strangely, there is no record of the Gene-seed that fused with the Sons of the Emperor.

There is also a mysterious Primarch's Gene-seed, which is not even recorded in the Primogenitor Vault!

Who exactly is he?

"The integration between the two has indeed gone very smoothly. If you can achieve mass supply of Gene-seed, I can naturally build a Chapter for you."

"But Melusine, can you reveal which two Primarch Gene-seed you used to assemble this product?"

"It's a secret."

Melusine seemed to remain tight-lipped about this.

Now.

The underground laboratory of the "Iron Citadel" Forge World.

"I hope you will not spread this embarrassing news."

Perturabo said helplessly.

Kasgar's Ironclad Company Commander Kardan and Perturabo's Warsmith Hongsuo were already waiting outside as instructed.

Family scandals should not be aired in private.

"Also, as Apothecary, there should be limits to your madness."

Perturabo glared at Melusine, the instigator standing in front of him, and said irritably.

"Do you need me to design power armor for your new Astartes cyborgs?"

Perturabo recalled the Iron Warriors Company Commander Kardan, who had suddenly grown much taller than Kasgar when he followed behind him.

The changes in this guy have indeed given him a good first impression.

Even with just a visual scan, he could tell that the other party's physical attributes and functions had been greatly improved compared to that of a typical Space Marine.

Primaris doesn't just mean that Space Marine will become taller.

Of course, that alone is enough to make Iron Warriors attractive.

"Good technique."

"It seems your research on Space Marine modification has surpassed that of my arrogant father."

Perturabo looked at Melusine again, who had also received a significant boost, and then said.

"Data."

"I know you've come for my Codex Mechanicus, but to complete your design, I need the Primaris Space Marine's data."

"The Iron Lord, I have the preliminary design blueprints for the Primaris Power Armour here."

Kasgar took the parchment scroll that Belisarius had given them from the bag on the back of his armor.

To prevent alteration by humans or demons, such extremely detailed and crucial records were written on blessed and reinforced parchment.

"Good."

Perturabo peered through a tiny lens, carefully examining the design by the Archmagos Belisarius.

Despite his previous fury when facing Kasgar, Perturabo immediately switched to focused mode once he immersed himself in the mechanical design and creation that interested him, carefully appreciating the Primaris draft of the Power Armour designed by Belisarius.

For him, nothing could be more wonderful than the present moment.

As for these things...

"This is a new design that Belisarius added based on the Codex Astartes entries, at my suggestion."

"The Iron Lord, what do you think?"

"A very unique design."

Perturabo spoke after a moment of silence.

"That's your style."

Belisarius was not the only one who possessed mechanical skills.

He, Kasgar, was also a highly skilled individual—a fellow who had received multiple training sessions from the Primarch Fulgrim and Philus at the Ugal Foundry.

Discussions on the technical aspects continued for some time.

Perturabo pressed for details on some points—some of which Kasgar could answer, while the parts he couldn't answer were filled in by Perturabo, who was laughing dismissively.

"Your entire ship has a lot more ore. If you can really build suitable pipeline resources in the Forge World, it would be more than enough to build 10,000 Power Armour."

"Isn't this all for our long-term cooperation in the future?"

"No. I don't want to have anything to do with my hypocritical father's Imperium anymore."

Perturabo quickly put away the parchment scroll in his hand, his expression instantly becoming extremely serious.

"If possible, this will be our last collaboration—I will help you smelt all of these ores into power armor."

"No matter what happens in the future, don't come looking for me."

"I have no further connection with you."

Perturabo was resolute.

He did not want to, nor was he willing to, undertake another foolish Great Crusade.

For the Iron Lord, being a free and undisturbed engineer nestled within this Iron Empire is infinitely more enjoyable than being Primarch of any Imperium of Man.

"If you can accept my conditions, this design will be handed over to the [Codex Mechanicus] for the next step—what was that sound?"

The data pipeline behind his head made his senses extremely sharp—he could receive all the status reports from this area through the data connection.

Perturabo sensed the discordant bass that permeated the Iron Citadel.

But he did not expect that a meticulously planned attack would also be launched in his direction at the same time.

Knowledge, carrying with it countless pieces of discarded data and Chaos Scrapcode, was simultaneously over-transmitted to Perturabo's link pathways and the internal defense facilities of the [Iron Citadel].

Under the premeditated attack, even the lights above their heads flickered.

"Damn data virus!"

Perturabo roared, trying his best to clear the Chaos Scrapcode flooding into his mind from the internal facilities.

Normally, this wouldn't have been a big deal given his Primarch's computational abilities, but the influence of the Chaos forces caused unpredictable instability in the data, greatly increasing the difficulty of his decoding work.

"Internal."

Sensing the increasingly intense aura of Chaos, Kasgar quickly turned to Melusine and said, "It seems very likely that the Tech-Priest and the Titan Cult here are traitors to Chaos."

Just as Perturabo was attacked from within.

The Sound Array devices within the Iron Citadel simultaneously unleashed a rhythmic, high-volume blast capable of shattering mortal eardrums.

According to Kasgar's Psychic Power detection, within the Iron Citadel, three dedicated Missionaries Support Regiments appeared to be roused by the sound of the Steel Legion's war horns, while the remaining troops were suppressed by the deafening noise.

It is speculated that this high-pitched bombardment served a similar purpose to a war cry.

"Roar!!!"

As the Sound Array broadcasts from all over the world resounded together, a frenzied roar erupted from the core of the Machine Spirit.

The Emperor-class Titan vessel, that was parked there, opened its eyes once more.

This Titan Legion had sided with the Chaos Warmaster since the Horus Heresy.

Despite having served the Iron Empire for millennia, they still chose to join the Great Crusade of Chaos under the guidance and promises of the current Chaos Warmaster, Abaddon, to contribute their strength to overthrowing the evil False Emperor.

For the 13th Black Crusade of the Chaos Warmaster, the Emperor-class Titan, who had lingered in the Iron Citadel for countless years, rose to his feet.

"It seems things aren't looking good."

"Kasgar said helplessly."

He lit the Gold-Red Flame in his hand and slowly approached Perturabo, who was frowning with his head down.

"Don't come any closer! I can handle this myself—"

In that instant the flames scorched, the Chaos Scrapcode that the Dark Tech-Priest had specifically designed for invading Perturabo was restored and decoded by this mysterious and unpredictable Psychic Flame.

"The Iron Lord".

"It's too early to say that we have no connection whatsoever."

"At least regarding Hongsuo's mother—"

"Shut up!!!"